USI Foundation surpasses $50 million goal a year early

At its regular board meeting on Thursday, November 19, the USI Foundation announced that it has surpassed its $50 million goal for Campaign USI: Elevating Excellence nearly a year ahead of the campaign's closing date in 2016. As of the announcement, gifts and commitments totaled more than $55.4 million.

The announcement comes more than seven months ahead of the scheduled June 30, 2016, deadline. David A. Bower, president of the USI Foundation, said the leadership gift that put the campaign over the top was received in August, nearly one year ahead of the target date. That gift commitment came from USI alumnus and local business and community leader D. Keith Jewell, president of St. Mary's Health.

Jewell first made a major gift commitment in 2010 to benefit B/MD scholars who plan to become physicians. In August of this year, he increased his gift commitment for a total of $2 million-a gift that officially put the campaign over its $50 million goal.

"Much like Ron Romain and his wife Connie Dartt Romain, also USI alumni, who kicked off the campaign in April 2013, with a leadership gift, Jewell decided to be the alumnus who would bring the Foundation over its goal," said Bower. "This is another sign of the positive impact this University has on its students and alumni. For an alumnus to make such a magnanimous gift proves, once again, that no other institution has done more for this region in the past 50 years than USI."

Bower stresses that, while the goal has been reached, the campaign is not over. Gifts will be accepted through June 30, 2016. "There are still numerous opportunities to support the goals of this campaign. We are calling on this community, and on all who believe in the value of affordable and accessible higher education, to follow the example set by Jewell, the Romains and all those who have already pledged support for this campaign. Together we can continue to build a University that has become such an integral part of this community, the region, the state, and is making a difference through its alumni and connections around the world."

Jewell: A Story of Knowledge and Success

Keith Jewell was an undergraduate when USI was granted its independence. He earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from USI's Romain College of Business in 1986. He later returned, earning his Master of Business Administration in 1991.

He has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare, including more than 10 years at the executive level. An Evansville native, he began his healthcare career in finance at Deaconess Hospital before moving to the accounting firm Ernst & Young as a healthcare consultant. In 1993, he joined Franciscan St. Francis Health, where he served as the executive vice president/chief operating officer. He returned to Evansville as president of St. Mary's Health System in 2013.

"This university has given me incredible knowledge and confidence, and has propelled me to where I am today," he said. "This University has been a formidable and enriching part of my life, and I will always be grateful to the University for what it's done for me."

Jewell comes from a modest background, raised by a single working mother, and attending 12 different schools in 13 years. His mother, who worked at the University during the time of its founding in 1965, in the Centennial School building, had no college education herself, but raised Jewell and his siblings with the expectation that they would attend college. "There was never any question about that," he said. "It was just expected."

Given his family's financial situation, his choices were limited. He said USI made it possible for him to attend college because it was both local and affordable. "What I got in return was invaluable," he said. "I gained so much more than an education. What USI produces is knowledge, and alumni who are contributing in this community and across America. Thousands, like me, have graduated and become productive citizens. This University is a powerful force-it's a vital and vibrant part of this community. This University and the people who have served it over the years have quite literally changed the world-they've changed my world."

Jewell self-described himself as a shy and introverted student when he first arrived at USI. He knew that, in order to succeed, he would have to get involved. He credits, faculty, administrators, counselors and others at USI with pushing him to do more. He got involved with the Activities Programming Board and later was involved with The Shield student newspaper, the AMIGOS, student orientation leaders, as well as fraternity life. Not only did he find himself enjoying college life, he learned a lot about becoming a leader. "To lead through others is a great life lesson," he said. "If you're not guided, nurtured and cultivated, you won't get the most out of your education.

"Leadership is about making a wholehearted commitment to making things better-often at the risk of failure and sacrifice. And, that's what our community leaders did when they dreamt of a University of Southern Indiana."

On giving back, Jewell says, if you have the available time or resources, you should give back to whatever you're passionate about. "And I'm passionate about USI; all it's done for me, all it's done for this community and all it has the capacity to do for people just like me. I think Evansville is a far different place today than it would have been had USI not existed. And, certainly it has transformed my life in a way that would not have been possible had it not been for a small school and a group of professors who took an interest in me, cared about me and tried to get me to reach my full potential. I wouldn't be who I am today, and I wouldn't have what I have today, had it not been for USI. If I can make that possible for someone else, it would be an honor and a privilege."

The Campaign

Planning for Campaign USI: Elevating Excellence was approved in 2009 by then recently elected USI President Linda L. M. Bennett. The USI Foundation met in special session on March 29, 2011 and approved the campaign and its $50 million working goal. The public launch of the campaign came on April 3, 2013, highlighted by a leadership gift from USI alumni Ron and Connie Romain, which resulted in the naming of the Romain College of Business.

While not tied directly to USI's 50th anniversary, the Foundation's plan was to reach the campaign goal by December 2015. The fact that it surpassed its campaign goal in August of 2015, in the midst of the University's 50th year, is a testament to the ongoing support of alumni, faculty, staff, students, retirees, friends of the University and the entire community.

In 1968, when the University's Foundation was established, assets were $200. Today, USI Foundation assets stand at more than $120 million.

Gift solicitations for the campaign will be accepted until June 30, 2016, with donors continuing to pay out five-year gift commitments.

"This campaign is about transforming the future of an institution with a reputation for delivering results," said Dr. Linda L. M. Bennett, USI president. "An investment in the University of Southern Indiana is an investment in the civic, cultural and economic well-being of all communities it serves. We are extremely grateful to Keith Jewell and all of our donors who continue to elevate the excellence of USI by their engagement with us, by sharing their expertise, their time, and their financial support. How fortuitous that in these last few weeks of celebrating our 50-year history we can announce the tremendous success of this campaign, the positive effects of which will lead us forward well into our second century of service in providing excellent, affordable and accessible higher education to all USI students."

Campaign Components

Campaign USI: Elevating Excellence focused on five major areas:

• Enriching Student Experience
• Enhancing the Academic Experience
• Elevating Athletics
• Strengthening Community Partnerships
• Providing Ongoing Annual Support

More on the Campaign Components

Scholarships

To date, Campaign USI Elevating Excellence has produced 132 new scholarships and more than $15.5 million in scholarship dollars. Of the $15.5 million, $3.6 million is earmarked for student athlete scholarships.

Currently, USI offers 26.7 scholarships in men's sports and the NCAA allows 48.7. Women's sports awards 33.7 scholarships and the NCAA allows 59.1. With the $3.6 million committed, USI's Athletic Department can come closer to authorizing the full number of scholarships in every NCAA Division II sport offered by USI, in turn helping more students achieve their academic and athletic goals.

Faculty Development

To date, the campaign has raised just over $1 million for faculty engagement fellowships and professorships to help faculty in their professional development.

For more information about Campaign USI: Elevating Excellence, visit USI.edu/campaign or contact David A. Bower at bower@usi.edu or 812-464-1918.